Paying for Their Stay: Race,Coresiding Arrangements,and Rent Payments Among Fragile Families

Abstract

Coresiding with extended relatives represents a beneficial form of resource sharing for disadvantaged individuals that is particularly common among Black, Hispanic, and low-socioeconomic status communities, yet we know little about financial arrangements within coresidential families. Given ongoing racial inequality in extended family resources, this study explores whether contributing rent is patterned by race among coresidential families. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 4,103), this project explores coresident and rent payment arrangements among mothers of young children. The analysis reveals that Black and Hispanic mothers carry unique financial burdens, being more likely, in comparison to White peers, to live with extended relatives and pay rent to the householder. Furthermore, among coresiders, Hispanic mothers are more likely than White mothers to pay rent even when the household is socioeconomically advantaged. This work reveals a form of inequality within coresidential housing, with White mothers having advantaged access to rent-free housing arrangements.

Keywords

kin support race housing family Fragile Families

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